Coinbase.com allowed to do business in Hawaii

We need DFI to apply the same rules to Coinbase.com as it does to banks. Do not hold cryptocurrencies to a different standard.

The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) has communicated regulatory policies which we believe will render continued Coinbase operations there impractical.

In particular, we understand that the Hawaii DFI will require licensure of entities which offer certain virtual currency services to Hawaii residents. Although Coinbase has no objection to this policy decision, we understand the Hawaii DFI has further determined that licensees who hold virtual currency on behalf of customers must maintain redundant fiat currency reserves in an amount equal to the aggregate face value of all digital currency funds held on behalf of customers. Although Coinbase securely maintains 100% of all customer funds on behalf of our customers, it is impractical, costly, and inefficient for us to establish a redundant reserve of fiat currency over and above customer digital currency secured on our platform.

Coinbase.com is the safest way to allow Hawaii residents a way to invest in cryptocurrencies. Without Coinbase.com, residents will find other methods/exchanges and potentially deceitful exchanges.